Lamination – clear is used mainly for adding a shiny plastic coating, as an overall effect or with a spot varnish.

Lamination – foil and iridescent

Specialised foils add an iridescent finish over a translucent colour layer. This is not particularly subtle, but effective for increasing shininess.

Hot foil stamping

Gives a spot foil effect, commonly used in medical/health packaging, greetings cards and for security foils. The effect works well on stiffer card.

Foil blocking

Is a mechanical version of hot foil stamping, used on gift cards and certificates, but rather old-fashioned and often awkward to set up.

Foils

Print on coloured or holographic foil rather than paper for eye-catching bags. Results in a very shiny product, but not quite robust as paper.

Glitters are also available.